Executives from Ministry of Science and Technology and NSTDA participated in the 6th Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation and the 15th China-ASEAN Expo 2018 held in Nanning, China.
Held on 11 September 2018, the 6th Forum on China-ASEAN Technology Transfer and Collaborative Innovation is a high-level forum, serving as a platform of exchanging good innovation resource between China and ASEAN, propelling the construction of China-ASEAN Innovation Community. On this occasion, Dr. Kanyawim Kirtikara, Vice Minister of Science and Technology delivered an address on “Thailand 4.0 and Innovation Cooperation Platform with China” at the opening ceremony. In her address, Dr. Kanyawim shared with the audience the development policy and platform for science, technology and innovation collaboration between Thailand and China and the recent establishment of Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi), a new infrastructure to foster joint research and development between the public and private sectors, as well as universities and local communities. In addition, during the opening ceremony, Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul, NSTDA President, signed an Memorandum of Understanding to develop China-Thailand Innovation Cooperation with the Chinese Academy of Sciences Innovation Cooperation Center in Bangkok and the China-ASEAN Technology Transfer Center. The MOU aims to promote and enhance collaboration in STI between the two countries and beyond under the Belt and Road Initiative of China and the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi) of Thailand, and to benefit the development of science park, technology transfer and people to people cooperation and innovative platform development. Following the opening ceremony, Ms. Suwipa Wanasathop, NSTDA Vice President, joined the Forum on China-ASEAN Science and Technological Park Collaborative Innovation, sharing the operation of Thailand Science Park to the audience from China and ASEAN countries.
A Thailand-China bilateral meeting on STI cooperation was held in the afternoon of 11 September between the Chinese and Thai delegations led by Mr. Zhang Jianguo, Vice Minister of Science and Technology of China and Dr. Kanyawim Kirtikara, Vice Minister of Science and Technology of Thailand, respectively. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the current joint projects and the prospect of future collaboration.
On 12 September 2018, Dr. Suvit Maesincee, Minister of Science and Technology, participated in the opening of the 15th China-ASEAN Expo 2018. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN strategic ties, the 15th China-ASEAN Expo 2018 was held under the theme "Co-building the 21st Century Silk Road, Jointly China-ASEAN Community of Innovation." China-ASEAN Expo aims at promoting business cooperation between both sides in various industries. NSTDA, several agencies under Ministry of Science and Technology, and 16 Thai companies organized exhibition displaying innovative products such as bio-medicine and health foods, cosmetics, and medical products, and participated in the business matching activity. The Expo was held from 12-15 September 2018.
The participation of Thai government agencies and enterprises at the China-ASEAN Forum and Expo helps introduce various platforms for scientific and innovative collaboration to potential collaborators from China and ASEAN member countries.